Welsh Gov condemns ‘homophobic abuse’ sent to wife of minister

The Welsh Government has condemned the “homophobic abuse” sent to the wife of a minister.

Laura Murton, who is married to Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn, was told to “abandon” her “sexuality” by someone who described themselves as a “property finance consultant and Christian evangelist from London”.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said the message, was “entirely unacceptable”.

It suggested Murton to try conversion therapy, a practice that the Welsh Government has vowed to outlaw. This is part of a push, which Blythyn has been spearheading, to make Wales the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe.

The self-described “evangelist” tells the minister’s wife she could “reprogramme” her “subconscious mind with a heterosexual mindset”.

This is in “order to marry a British Christian man for love and child-bearing”.

Conversion therapy has been described by host of professional bodies, including The British Psychological Society, and the Royal College of General Practitioners as “unethical and potentially harmful”.

The Bench of Bishops in the Church in Wales have also said trying to “force people to try and change their sexuality” is “both abusive and traumatising”.

The message to Murton also claims that the “long-term survival of the indigenous white people of England and Wales is threatened”.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government told Nation.Cymru: “This type of homophobic abuse is entirely unacceptable and demonstrates all too clearly why the work of this Government on the LGBTQ+ action plan is so important.

“Our plan seeks to tackle this type of discrimination, address structural inequalities and create a society where LGBTQ+ people are safe to live and love authentically, openly, without prejudice, judgement and bigotry.

We would urge everyone to take part in shaping the equal Wales we all want to see by contributing to our consultation process-Consultation on the LGBTQ+ Action Plan | GOV.WALES.”

Revealing the message on Twitter, Laura Murton said: “A few weeks ago my wife launched the Welsh Gov action plan to make #Wales the most #LGBTQ+ friendly place in Europe.

“I’ve now been targeted to my personal & work email stating I need to abandon my sexuality, leaving the woman who is leading the way for Wales. This is exactly why the plan is so important.”

The public affairs consultant Stephen Brooks said: “Laura’s targeted by a homophobic and racist bigot yet she chooses not to reveal their identity. When they go low, she goes high.

“Sorry you received this hate for simply existing. Solidarity with @LauraMurton22 and @hannahblythyn – you’re both doing Wales proud”.

‘Pride Month’ 

During Pride Month Deputy Minister Hannah Blythyn said: “The Welsh Government has supported Pride in the past, but now we are putting this support on a firmer footing, to help with long-term planning and sustainability, not just for a single event but in recognising the role Pride plays as a grassroots movement.

“We will be making £25k of new funding available for Pride Cymru this year and will be embedding this support, and substantially more in the future.

“Alongside this, we will also be establishing a new Wales-wide Pride Fund to support grassroots events across the country. We will support smaller movements to thrive and help ensure that every LGBTQ+ person can take part in what Prides have to offer.

“At the beginning of the year, we established the Independent Expert Panel to help set up the next steps for advancing LGBTQ+ equality.

“In March, this Panel presented their report, which included 61 recommendations under six main themes: Human Rights and Recognition; Safety; Home and Communities; Health and Social Care; Education; and the Workplace.

“The work of this Expert Panel has been used to develop an Action Plan for Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality in Wales.

“This ambitious, cross-government plan will set out the concrete steps we will take to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people, to tackle discrimination and to, ultimately to make Wales the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe.”